Portret van Jan Snellinck c. 1792 - 1849

Johannes Hari created this portrait of Jan Snellinck in the late 18th or early 19th century using etching techniques. It’s a fine example of how the art of portraiture intertwines with social status and historical memory. The sitter, Jan Snellinck, is captured with meticulous detail, his features suggesting a man of substance and intellect. The use of etching, a printmaking method that allowed for detailed and reproducible images, speaks to the rise of a merchant class in the Netherlands, eager to immortalize themselves and their lineage. The detailed rendering of his clothing, combined with his poised expression, signal his place in the social hierarchy. To fully appreciate this work, one must delve into the archives, tracing the histories of both artist and subject within the cultural and economic context of the time. In doing so, we reveal how art serves as a mirror, reflecting the values and aspirations of a society.